West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has given his verdict on Ruud van Nistelrooy before his first game in charge of Leicester City.
Van Nistelrooy was announced as the Foxes’ new boss last week but he didn’t join in time to be on the touchline against Brentford.
Instead, his managerial debut will come on Tuesday night when Leicester play West Ham at the King Power Stadium.
Lopetegui had this to say about Van Nistelrooy and Leicester ahead of their upcoming battle…
Lopetegui spoke about Van Nistelrooy before Leicester vs West Ham
Lopetegeui was asked for his thoughts on Van Nistelrooy in his pre-match press conference, and he was very complimentary.
“Ruud is a very good manager, for sure,” he said, via Sky Sports. “He showed this with the teams he’s worked for.
“He has experience in the Premier League and, for sure, he’s going to do good work. I wish him the best but after our match.”
Lopetegui then explained why Van Nistelrooy’s side are going to be a particularly tough opposition on this occasion.
“We have to be ready because I’m sure that the next challenge is going be very demanding because of the extra step, the extra energy that happens when a new coach arrives,” he added.
The Spanish coach also made a comment about the King Power Stadium which will be music to Leicester fans’ ears.
“The King Power is one stadium that bangs a lot so I’m sure that we’ll have to do our best to compete there.”
Leicester can beat Lopetegui’s struggling West Ham side
There are no easy games in the Premier League, as former Manchester United striker and coach Van Nistelrooy will be aware, but West Ham at home is up there with the most favourable fixtures at the moment.
The East London club are struggling in 15th position in the table and were thrashed 5-2 by Arsenal at the weekend.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 24 | -7 | 15 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 13 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 11 |
| 16 |  LeicesterLeicester | 13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 10 |
| 17 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 13 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 18 | -7 | 9 |
| 18 |  WolvesWolves | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 22 | 32 | -10 | 9 |
Their players are likely to be low on confidence so, with the enthusiasm that comes from having a new manager, Leicester could turn them over if things go their way.
A win in his first match in charge would be so valuable to Van Nistelrooy with tougher tests against Brighton and Newcastle coming up.